The following sessions that may be of interest to ASM’s clinical and public health microbiologists are being held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, during ASM’s General Meeting which begins on Sunday, May 21, 2006:

“Viable bacteria present within oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue” (S.J. Hooper, S.J. Crean, M.A.O. Lewis, D.A. Spratt, W.G. Wade, M.J. Wilson. 2006. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 44. 5: 1719-1725.) For the first time, viable bacteria have been detected in oral cancer tissue say researchers from the United Kingdom. In the study, twenty deep-tissue samples were collected from patients undergoing surgery for oral cancer. The specimens were harvested from deep within the tumor mass using a fresh blade for each cut. Superficial portions and nontumorous samples were also collected as control specimens and surface contamination was maintained using Betadine and phosphate-buffered saline. Results showed a diverse group of bacteria, including several potentially novel species, of which some were isolated only from either the tumorous or nontumorous tissue.

“Effect of conventional and organic production practices on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter spp. in poultry” (T. Luangtongkum, T.Y. Morishita, A.J. Ison, S. Huang, P.F. McDermott, Q. Zhang. 2006. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 72. 5: 3600-3607.) The use of conventional versus organic production practices can significantly affect the prevalence of antibiotic resistant to bacteria in poultry say researchers from Maryland and Ohio. In the study, researchers compared Campylobacter from the intestinal tracts of broilers and turkeys from conventional farms where antibiotics were routinely used and organic farms where antibiotics had never been used. A total of 694 Campylobacter isolates were tested for resistance to nine antibiotic agents. Researchers found that although Campylobacter species were dominant in both poultry operations, there was a significant difference in antibiotic resistance with a rate of less than 2% from organically raised poultry and 46 to 67% resistance from conventionally raised broilers and turkeys.

“Molecular Principles of Fungal Pathogenesis” (Editors: Joseph Heitman, Duke University Medical Center; Scott G. Filler, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; John E. Edwards, Jr., Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; Aaron P. Mitchell, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons), presents readers with an up-to-date compendium of research in the field of medical mycology. This new volume measures the impact of genome projects, genetics, and molecular biology on the understanding of a diverse group of pathogenic fungi and explores the potential impact of vaccines and new therapeutic approaches to treatment. It will serve as a valuable resource for students, fellows, instructors, researchers, specialists, clinicians, and anyone interested in the general field of microbial pathogenesis.

“Outbreak: Cases in Real-World Microbiology” (Author: Rodney P. Anderson, Ohio Northern University), is a new textbook targeting introductory microbiology instructors and students. Generously illustrated with color photographs, the book integrates headline-making disease outbreaks into the microbiology coursework and is the first work of its kind to utilize material that directly impacts college-age students. Unique in its presentation, “Outbreak” is designed to offer instructors the flexibility to use the book effectively in a number of ways, while providing students with the critical content they need.